4 th May , 1973
A mysterious Japanese man came to our house at dawn . He was a lean person with a drooping moustache and slicked-back , black hair . He carried a pile of gold and silver .
His name is Kono Kimio . He asserted that my mum ’ s sickness is just a simple bout of pneumonia , and assured us that the Japanese army doctor has the medicine to cure my mum . But as an exchange , my dad had to agree to be part of their expedition to lead them to rob a dangerous tomb in Shanghai . The Japanese officer gave dad three days to think about the ultimatum - his wife or his country .
I was born into a famous family of tomb robbers . They robbed the tomb under the guise of the historic preservation but because my grandpa is the general in the army , nobody could prosecute us . My dad is a well-known tomb robber in Shanghai but he hasn ’ t done any guilty deeds since my mum became ill . He thinks his guilty deeds caused the terrible disease . So , he is operating an export business , which sells silk to Europe currently .
6 th May , 1973
After two days , my dad finally thought it through . He chose his wife . He could not bear to live without her . However , the event will not be a smooth one . A communist underground staff , Hu Ming , came to find us .
Hu explained that the Japanese task is not as simple as he first thought . They just got the information that a long-lost chemical has recently been detected by the Japanese expedition in an ancient tomb , and it is an essential material they need to produce the biochemical weapons , which the Japanese army are working on . If they can make the biochemical weapons successfully , then the whole of Shanghai will be in a great danger . So , that ’ s why Mr . Hu came here - to persuade my dad to stand on our side , not the enemies . Just like what the staff said , ‘ China is in great danger . The war is on the verge of breaking out but your decision can change the whole thing . I understand the grief of losing your wife , but have you ever thought about the fact that the Japanese will not save you when you are useless ?’ When he said this , we could all feel his sincerity , not only from the language , but also from his eye contact .
Dad was lost in another deep thought . His wife , or the country - this is too difficult to choose . His patriotism tells him to give up his wife but on the other hand his love for his wife makes it too difficult to decide .
7 th May , 1973
Dad insisted on saving his wife and he told Kono Kimio that he will stand with them . The Japanese Army Doctor reacted very quickly and they took my mum to their hospital this afternoon . The Japanese Army has the best medical condition in Asia . I am sure my mum will be cured in their hospital .
My dad went to the expedition meeting after sending my mum to the hospital . He came back very late , and started to packing up . The expedition will start in two days . He has to be ready by tomorrow .
I cannot say whether dad ’ s decision is right or wrong , but I can feel a sense of regret deep in my heart .
8 th May , 1973
Mr . Hu came here at midnight . He said if my dad were determined to raid the tomb , he would go with my dad as an assistant . He wanted to sneak on into the Japanese Army to get more information . Dad agreed to take him , as well as me .
We packed up really quickly and went to the Japanese Army . Prior to that , we went to the hospital to visit mum . She was much better , which means Kono Kimio didn ’ t lie to us .